Bathing cap



M. HAMILTON BATHING CAP Filed A112. 29, 1922 ZSheets-Sheet 1 June 16,1925. 7 1,541,810

1 H/ I, I

INVENTORI Margaret Hamill-a1 BK. gr 6 ATTORNEYS June 16, 1925. 1,541,810

. M. HAMILTON BATHING GAP Filed Qua. 29. 1922 2 SheetsShee t 2 F .3. /7 g m a A Magare Ham H6011 Patented June 16, 1925.

1,541,810 PATENT OFFICE.

MARGARET HAMILTON, OF MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE.

IBATHING car.

Application filed August 29, 1922. Serial No. 585,026.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MARGARET HAMiLToN, a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of the city of Memphis, county of Shelby, and State of Tennessee, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Bathing. (laps, of which the following is a specification.

This invention 1s an lmprovement in bathf ing caps of the cloth type, as distinguished from the well known rubber caps.

One of the principal objects of the invention is to provide a bathing cap which is exceedingly attractive in appearance, and which presents the advantages, amongst others, of being capable of being put on and worn with a minimum of disarrangement of the hair of the wearer; of protecting the neck and sides of the face of the wearer against the sun; 'of affording adjustab lity, particularly of the portions which may be used in protecting the face; and of being so constructed that the'activity of the wearer in diving or swimming is not in the least impeded. a a

A further object of the invention is to provide a bathing cap which in construction is simple, and which can be manufactured at minimum cost.

Theforegoing and other objects and advantages of the invention will more clearly appear as the description proceeds.

In the accompanying drawings, which forms a part of this application,

Figure 1 illustrates the invention in use.

Figure 2 also illustrates the inventionin use, the view being had from the side and rear of the wearer. v V

Figure 3 represents a top plan now of the cap removed from the head of the wearer.

Figure 4E represents a fragmentary bottom plan view of the fore-head portion of the cap, and

Figure 5 represents a section on the line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Referring more particularly to Figure 3 of the drawings, it will be seen that the body portion A of the cap is substantially circular in plan, save at the fore-head portion .5, where the edgeis substantially straight, the

circular formation being somewhat flattened as shown. The central portion of thebody A, for the purposes of illustration, is designated the head-piece 6, and the marginal portion isdesignated the skirt 7. In Figure 3 a dotted line has been drawn to indlcate the imaginary border between the skirt por tion and the head-piece portion of the cap.

Tying strips 8, extend laterally from the fore-head portion 5 of the Gap, and these tie stripsare integral with the fore-head reinapparent if, upon reference to Figures 4 and 5, it is understood that the. fore-head portion of the body of the cap, for a short distance, is folded, or gathered upon itself in .forcement 9. This structure will become a radial direction with respect to the cap as indicated at 10, for shaping the forward portion of the cap to properly fit the forehead of the wearer, and that to the upper or outside surface of the forehead portion of the cap, the central or fore-head reinforcing 'rea-r'row13, and side rows 1a of stitches,

the area enclosed within these rows of stitches corresponding to a substantial area of the fore-head of the wearer. Thus the fore-head portion of the cap is shaped and reinforced, the remaining portions of the cap and the tie strips being free, save that the edges thereof are hemmed as indicated at 15. The fore-head reinforcement 9 is of substantial width at its central portion, to occupy a substantial depth of the forehead area of the wearer, this central portion being gradually curved as shown. From the central portion of the reinforcement, the extensions of the strip of material of which the fore-head portion and tie-strips 8 are formed, gradually taper down to a uniform width at or about the point 16. This construction insures, when the cap is put on, a

uniform engagement of the cap upon a sub-' Another advantage obtained by this construction is that this even gripping of the fore-head over a substantial area will keep the foremost portion of the cap smooth and even, and willhold the cap firmly in place .when diving, as the forehead and the portions immediately adjacent thereto are the first to strike the water.

For purposes of decoration, the edges of the cap and tie-strips may be stitched with variously colored embroidery silk, or, if desired, the cap may be otherwise decorated.

The portions of the skirt 7 of the cap adjacent the fore-head portion thereof, are designated the cheek-skirt portions 17. It will be noted, by reference to Figure 1, that these portions of the skirt may be pulled down and forwardly with respect to the tie strips 8, if desired, to protect the cheeks and eyes of the wearer from the sun and wind. This results from the fact that the side rows 14 of stitches which secure the fore-head reinforcement to the forehead portion of the cap are arranged apart a distance substantially equal to the distance between the outer corners of the eyes of the average wearer, and are arranged in parallel relation with each other and with the medial line of the cap. Hence the cheekskirt portions may be pulled or adjusted downwardly and forwardly to shade the eyes and cheeks, without straining or displacing the fore-head portion of the cap, and at the same time there will be no danger of the cheek-skirt portions working too far forward or close together, because of the position of the side rows 14 of the stitches.

The cap is intended to be used both as a beach cap, that is, when the wearer is promenading the beach, and also when the wearer is swimming or diving. The use of the cheekskirt portions will be more general during the promenading of the beach. When the wearer wishes to go into the water, the cheek-skirt portions may be readily adjusted rearwardly and upwardly with respect to the tie-strips, if desired, to leave the entire face free. Of course it is understood that the cheek-skirt port-ions may be left fully extended, even when swimming or diving, if the wearer so desires.

In placing the cap on the head, the wearer may hold the cap bottom side up, with the edge of the fore-head portion toward the wearer, and with the hands engaging the cap near the ends of the fore head portion. The cap may be then swung up onto the head of the wearer, the forehead portion of the cap being engaged upon and properly adjusted upon the fore-head of the wearer. The fore-head portion may be then held in place with one hand while the remaining portion of the cap may be properly adjusted and draped upon the head. The tie strips then may be brought about the head over the skirt portion, and tied in a knot in the rear as indicated at Figure 2. Then the cheek-skirt portions may be adjusted as desired. hen in place, the edges of the cap, as shown, will form a skirt portion, which will protect the neck and lower portions of the hair of the wearer against the sun. This skirt portion will not, however, be of such length as to cause discomfort, or to present an unsightly appearance. IVith the usual modes of fixing the hair, the skirt will drape itself attractively around the sides and back of the head of the wearer and depend suiiiciently to protect the neck and hair from the sun and wind. At the same time glimpses of the hair may be had here and there, according .to the method pursued in adjusting the skirt. Thus an extremely beautiful and artistic effect may be obtained, and at the same time the material advantages of protecting the eyes and cheeks, and the neck and hair from the elements, will be obtained. If it is desired, the wearer may, of course, arran'ge her hair so that the tie strips will come around at or near the lower border of it, and when tied, will materially assist in keeping water out of any portion of the hair. Many people desire to use the well known rubber cap for protecting the hair from the water. The bathing cap which I have provided may be used over these caps if desired, and in such use will not only enhance the appearance of the wearer, but will protect the rubber cap from the disintegrating effects of the sun.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding, and no undue limitation should be deduced thereform, but the appended claims should be construed as broadly as possible, in view of the prior art.

Having thus described my invention what I claim is,

1. In a bathing cap, the combination with a flat body portion devoid of a preformed head or hat-receiving pocket, of a strip of a length to encircle the head of a wearer, and having a central portion secured to the body portion at the forehead portion thereof, said central portion being of a width and length approximating only the height and width of a wearers forehead, the end portions of the strip beyond the said central portion being of less width than said central portion and being free from. the body portion to thereby form tying strips.

2. In a bathing cap, the combination of a head portion devoid of a preforn'ied head or hat-receiving pocket covering the head of the wearer, and including a relatively narrow skirt portion depending from the head portion, a tying strip of a length to encircle the head of the wearer passing around the head portion substantially along the border of the head portion and skirt portion, said tying strip having a central portion of a width and length approximating only the height and width of the wearers forehead and attached to the head portion at the forehead portion thereof the end portions of the strip beyond the said the attached area of the tying strip termicentral portion being of less width than said nating adjacent the outer corners of the eyes central portion, and being free from the i0 ofthe wearer, the portions of the skirt adbody portion.

5 joining the attached portion of the tying In testimony whereof I hereunto aifix strip being adjustable to form skirts for my signature. protecting the eyes and cheeks of the wearer, MARGARET HAMILTON. 

